New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-05
AGENTS FOR BOGUS CLAIMS.
DIG swINDLlNG CONCERN BROKEN UP.

THE PRESIDENT. SECRETARY AND COUNSEL OF A
FOREIGN "CLAIM AGENCY" ARREsTED.
Two well-dressed Englishmen, known as the presi
dent and the secretary of tho British American Claim
Agency" were locked up at Police Headquarters yes
erday on charge OF swindling All their books and
papert had been seized By Inspector Byrnes and bis
men, who sail they had discovered big fraudulent
concern organized to cheat the confding public Six
months ago the blue and gold sign of the agency
hung on door leading TO handsome set of rooms on
the fourth floor OF the Stewart Building and the
agency was advertised widely It's alleged object was
to examine pass upon and collect the clas of next
ofkn or heirs to estates or fortunes In Chancory in
the Bank of England or on the Continent of Europe.
circulars OF the agency sent over the country
declaring that $4s0O0O,O0O of such claims was
agencys rooms by every mail Many persons went to
the agency to make inquiries. They were introduced
to tall gray haired man OF fine appearance, George
to Secretary Edwin s. withereii man OF polite and
nsinuating ways The police say that Parker 10 an
ex-convict who came here on ticket-oi-leave IRON
Australia by way OF California.
Persons who led into dealings with ths agency
were required to pay q fee OF $40 each before their
cases were considered The agenoys scheme OF colec-
ton was unfolded in pamphlet sold for 90 cents
such would be claimants ready to be gulled.
AZ much as 800 day the average poured into the
agencys money drawer. No claims were ted.
VI course and most OF the money received by Parker
and Wiiherel was clear profit They had confederates
IN London, b, whom letters were sent decoys stat
ing tlat the claimants mentioned in the letters had the
best possible chance to get rich. The letters sent
apparently by James A. Hales, of No 1l5 Chancery
Lane London One OF tho blanks dealt out to victims
was as follows, surmounted by the royal arms of Eng
land
TO THE BANK OF ENGLAND AND PAYMAsTER
GENERAL, COURT CT CHANCERY.
n % nss s%s an MSo ss In In the sss' OF
request information be supplied Mr. A. naes OF il5
an Innl on mt hahn
tsosfOI Ns%s Ns%2.,.
Recently the claimants were asked to give S24 7c
each for expenses Mr.. Parker said to be going
to London to follow up the claims personally The
books OF the agency showed that abont 10000 such
circulars cent out. Among the persons who got
the circular was q Acknowledgement who had been
patiently investigating the agency. Information OF
the swinde had been sent TO nspecor'yrnes by Com
missioner Munroe OF the Criminal Investigation De
parmcnt OF the London police. The detecvesergeant
had asked to have an imaginary claim investigated,
had paid out $25 in tees and had received letter
from Haes to the effect that the claim promsng Q,
before the demand tor S24 70 was made. Inspector
Byrnes bad conferred with the Post Office authorities
with the view OF arresting Parker and Wtherel tor
the Illegal Of the United States mails and In
spector Adst had consulted with the Postmaster
eral II agreed that the Post Office officials would
act in concert with the Doce Letters addressed 10
the agency were examined and in that way the ad-
dresses of persons who we're being swnthed weie OBJ
timed Soon there were complanants ready to make
atidavis agalnst Parker and WethcrcI and OH Thurs
day the air we're Indicted for swiudling
Yesterday Inspector Byrnes with Detective Sergeants
Golden and Radiord and Post Office Inspectors Adsit
Dosser and Hartshorn, visited the offices OF the
agency. Parker and Witherell were surprised when
they placed under arrest. They were taken 10
Police Headquarters and locked up and truck load OF
books, letters and papers followed theT. From the
letters seized the police learned that the prisoners had
two coniederates IN London. f. c. RIdeout and A. e.
Wilkinson. who will be arrested by tho London police
Parker and Witherell will be arragned in court to-
dav.
Last evening Detective sorgeants Golden and Titus
arrested George w. Gibbons. lawyer at No. SO
Broadway and living at No. 22J West Seventeenth-st
His name appeared on the crcnars Of the agency
" counsel" and he was indicted with the others He
declared that he knew nothing about the business Of
the agency.